Home

THE TRIAL: On January 14, 2018, a Martin County jury found Maggy Hurchalla guilty of tortious interference with the Interlocal Agreement between Lake Point Mining, the County and the South Florida Water Management District. The jury assessed damages of $4.33 million dollars.

Lake Point argued that there were no first amendment rights when a citizen criticized a government contract after it was signed if it was a contract.

Maggy: "I don’t believe we can let this judgment redefine first amendment rights. We kept the faith. We fought the good fight. We need your help to continue appealing this case. Some very wonderful lawyers have offered to be lead counsel for my appeal. We think we have a strong case. We know we have an important case."

SLAPP suits are meant to discourage and intimidate, not just the slappee, but anyone else who might dare to criticize. Every resident whoever spoke up to defend their neighborhood and every environmentalist who ever fought for Florida's future, got slapped by this verdict.

If this ruling stands, free speech falls. If it stands, what you thought was your right to "petition your elected officials" will be subservient to those of any business with deep pockets willing to spend the money to crush opposition.